Those fighting to keep the designation said a reversal of the designation could jeopardize the security of any historic building. But Sean and Genevieve Clifford said the home was not on the landmark list when they were buying and that repairs to bring it up to code would cost hundreds of thousands - turning their dream of a homeownership into a nightmare.

Property owner Genevieve Clifford said, “We invested as homebuyers not developers. We are a family of four who work hard. We don't come from money. We have saved and we have bought this property when it was unburdened and without restrictions.”

The committee sided with the Cliffords, with a vote of 5 to 1, to overturn the designation.